Today's current North East news from The Journal Newspaper

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JournalLive News in association with Rapid Solicitors

Weigh-in cheers and tears for Fit Factor Active 8 May 17 2012

HALFWAY through their intensive training and healthy eating regime, our eight Fit Factor contestants have lost just over 19 stone-and-a-half stone between them – the equivalent of a typical heavyweight Sumo wrestler!Read

Newcastle Airport court case drawing to a close May 17 2012

A TOP law firm accused of negligence over multi-million pound bonuses awarded to two former Newcastle Airport directors acted diligently and “in good faith” throughout, London’s High Court heard yesterday.Read

Newcastle University aims to attract USA's top scholars May 17 2012

AMERICA’S brightest young people could be on their way to the North East after a university set out to attract the USA’s most talented students.Read

North East firms' £25m loan will create thousands of jobs May 17 2012

THOUSANDS of jobs will be created as a £25m loan fund is handed over to North East firms.Read

North Tyneside Council top staff refuse pay cut May 17 2012

A CASH-STRAPPED council’s top earners have refused a request from councillors to take a pay cut, it has emerged.Read

Nine held by police after County Durham drug raids May 17 2012

AROUND 100 police officers swooped on homes in a series of dawn raids targeting drug dealers yesterday.Read

Jesmond man tells of Guillain-Barre Syndrome battle May 17 2012

A BUSINESSMAN has told how he was left paralysed from a life-threatening illness days after seeing doctors for a minor chest infection.Read

North East unemployment numbers still rising May 17 2012

UNEMPLOYMENT in the North East has risen by 6,000 since December – putting it among the worst figures for 17 years – despite falls elsewhere in the country.Read

Ponteland homes development plans to be unveiled May 17 2012

MULTI-million-pound development plans which could see more than 1,000 new homes added to one of the region’s most affluent communities are set to be unveiled to local people soon.Read

Greggs boss Ken McMeikan warms up for pasty tax showdown May 17 2012

THE boss of bakery giant Greggs said the Government’s planned pasty tax would threaten jobs and high street closures as he prepared for a showdown with the Treasury today.Read

Benefit switch ‘poses threat to village life’ May 17 2012

BENEFIT changes could force younger people out of villages and threaten the viability of their communities, a North East planning expert has warned.Read

Morpeth brothers' scuffled prior to death of Michael Marshall May 17 2012

WITNESSES have told a court how they saw a man arguing and scuffling with his brother in the incident which allegedly killed him.Read

Morpeth traffic lights will be reviewed in July May 17 2012

TRADERS, shoppers and residents in a market town are facing the prospect of six months of traffic problems and disruption because of the combined effects of major roadworks and controversial new traffic lights.Read

Late Shows bring sport films to life in North East May 17 2012

ARCHIVE film of sporting events across the last century in the North East will go on show this weekend.Read

Berwick parks in line for £1m improvements May 17 2012

POPULAR parks in a Northumberland town centre could be in line for £1m worth of improvements.Read

Riding Mill church raiders shatter £5,000 window to steal £2 May 17 2012

CHURCH burglars hurled a rock through a £5,000 stained glass window to steal just £2 from the collection box.Read

Concerns see North East World Heritage bid stopped May 16 2012

THE bid for a third World Heritage site for the North East has been dramatically withdrawn, it emerged last night.Read

Swan Hunter shipyard offer to green energy firms - GALLERY May 16 2012

A CONTRACT to transform the historic Swan Hunter shipyard into a global hub for the green energy industry is up for grabs.Read

Durham University student Gemma Collis to compete in Paralympics May 16 2012

A LAW student whose sporting career appeared to have been cut down by a crippling illness has been chosen to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics.Read